Evaluation of two regional anesthetic methods on the front limb of dogs using hyperbaric bupivacaine.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of bupivacaine 0.5 and 0.25% in intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) and brachial plexus block (BPB), respectively, on anesthesia, motor block and cardiovascular parameters in dogs.

METHODS

Fourteen healthy adult dogs averaging 10 kilograms (kg) of body weight. Animals were randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments IVRA (n=7) or BPB (n=7). All the animals were sedated with acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg intramuscular). To execute the BPB was used an electrical nerve stimulation. Anesthesia, motor block, sedation, cardiovascular and respiratory effects were measured as effect of the treatment.

RESULTS

BPA showed superior efficiency and duration of anesthesia (BPB - 456 +/- 94 minutes vs IVRA - 138 +/- 44) as well as motor block. There only physiologic parameter which change were the systolic pressure in BPB and respiratory rate for both treatments.

CONCLUSION

In dogs the 0.25 % hyperbaric bupivacaine in BPB produces a front limb anesthesia about three times more than the 0.5 % in IVRA, with ptosis of the limb blocked and little interference in the cardiovascular system but with decrease in respiratory rate.